The world of nursing reveres Hildegard E. Peplau as one of the first and most efficient nurse theorists of all times. Her interpersonal nursing theory that was propounded in 1952 is also regarded as an effective and useful theory. It identifies that the therapeutic nurse-client connection is the bottom line of this noble profession. Peplau has described nursing not as “doing to” clients, but "doing with" clients. In addition, she assumes nursing as a profession that educates and encourages health in every human being (Forchuk, 1993). Peplaus’s theory views nursing as an interpersonal development. She believes so as there is an interaction between people who share a common goal. Nursing facilitates this familiar goal by providing the spur for the restorative process. Thus process makes both patients and nurses to respect each other as unique and distinctive individuals. As a consequence of this interaction, they learn and grow.
According to her, there are four steps in the relationship between nurse-patient. They are “orientation, identification, development and conclusion” (Vellone & Piras 1997). Such steps allow the nurse to act as a dependable human being who can teach and guide the patients. Orientation phase can also be referred as the problem defining phase. It begins when nurse and client meet for the first time. The client defines problem and the nurse decides the service type needed by the client. In Identification phase, proper professional assistance is selected and patients begin deal with the problem. During Exploitation phase, nurses aid the clients as they start to exploit every available avenue to help the patients. In the Resolution phase, the client-nurse relation is terminated (Masters, 2005).
Although this theory is widely acknowledged, it does not heavily emphasize on the promotion and preservation of health. Also, Peplau’s theory is not applicable on withdrawn patients as they do not experience a felt need.
References
Forchuk, C. (1993). Hildegard E. Peplau: Interpersonal Nursing Theory. Newbury Park, Calif.: Sage Publications.
Masters, K. (2005). Role Development in Professional Nursing Practice. Sudbury, Mass.: Jones and Bartlett.
